Energy, Energy Market, Estonia

Wind energy, of which 101 GWh was generated, accounted for 34.5 % of total renewable energy produced. Just like in the first quarter, generation of wind energy dropped by more than one-third compared with the same period in 2015 as a result of less favorable wind conditions, the transmission system operator Elering said.

The wind energy subsidy paid out by Elering in the three months totaled 4.8 mln euros, being also smaller by one-third than in the same period last year. The subsidy was paid on 88% of the total amount of wind energy generated and during the quarter 15% of the sum total earmarked for wind energy subsidies for the whole year was paid out.

By the end of the first half-year 37% of the total amount of wind energy subsidy budgeted for 2016 had been paid out. The subsidized amount in 2016 has been capped at 600 GWh.

As a result of more favorable wind conditions in 2015, 56% of the maximum possible amount had been paid out by the end of the first half of that year.

In the second quarter 62% of the renewable electric energy produced in Estonia was produced from biomass, biogas and waste. In all 183 GWh of electricity was produced from these sources in the three months, about as much as in the second quarter of 2015.

Electricity produced from biomass, biogas and waste received 8.7 mln euros in subsidies.

Nine GWh of hydro energy was produced during the quarter and 300,821 euros was paid out in subsidies on hydro energy.

The amount of solar energy transferred to the grid in the three months totaled 1.1 GWh. Since most of the solar energy generated in Estonia is consumed by the micro-producers themselves, the amount actually generated with solar panels is estimated to be 4-5 times the amount qualifying for subsidy. There are approximately 500 producers of electric energy with solar panels in Estonia at this point, about 100 more than at the end of the first quarter.

During the quarter, Elering paid renewable energy subsidies in the amount of 13.8 mln euros on 257 GWh of electricity. Measured in money, the amount of renewable energy subsidies decreased by a little more than 10% compared to the second quarter of last year.

Of the subsidy for high-efficiency cogeneration 1.2 mln euros was paid out, also marking reduction from last year. Altogether 37 GWh of electric energy was generated in high-efficiency cogeneration regime.